Device for the parking of vehicles on several platforms arranged above each other

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a device for the parking of vehicles on several platforms, arranged above each other, with incline and hoisting equipments for all platforms.

United States Patent 1191 Klaus 1 DEVICE FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES ON SEVERAL PLATFORMS ARRANGED ABOVE EACH OTHER [76] Inventor: Kaspar Klaus, Schlachthofstrasse 46, Memmingen, Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 122,083

[52] US. Cl. 214/16.l ED [51] Int. Cl E041 6/06 [58] Field of Search 2l4/16.1 R, 16.1 D,

214/161 DA, 16.1 ED, 16.1 EC

[56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,663,446 12/1953 Romain ..214/16.1DA

[ June 26, 1973 2,815,872 12/1957 Graham 214/16.1 ED 3,469,717 9/1969 Bolt 214/16.1 ED FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATlONS 1,373,916 8/1964 France 214/161 EC 468,552 3/1969 Switzerland 214/ 16.1 ED 1,012,579 8/1965 Great Britain 214/161 EB 1,346,583 11/1963 France 214/16.1 DA

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-R. B. Johnson Attorney-Holman & Stern [57] ABSTRACT The invention concerns a device for the parking of vehicles on several platforms, arranged above each other, with incline and hoisting equipments for all platforms.

' 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDJIJIIZB I975 samu ar 5 H g u mvmon Kaspar K Laws /2 FIGS BY i ua m sm ATTORNEY 1 DEVICE FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES ON SEVERAL PLATFORMS ARRANGED ABOVE EACH OTHER Contrivances of the a/m kind have become known in various forms of construction. One of the contrivances known provides two platforms each slewable on a hinge and interlinked by a guide with each other and operated by a common drive. If both of the platforms are hoisted the lower platform can be connected with the entrance, whereby the lower platform slants down for the vehicle to drive in. If both of the platforms are lowered, the upper platform connects with the entrance, whereby this upper platform slants upwards for the vehicle to drive in.

So as to reduce the space requirement for such a contrivance, particularly in the vertical direction, it is known in the lowering process of both platforms, to lower the entrance end of the upper platform more than the entrance end of the lower platform. Thereby the upper platform utilizes for the driving-in process that space which the lower platform allows for its driving in process.

In another known contrivance several platforms are arranged elevator-like or paternoster-lift like above each other. The platforms can be moved up or down so that one individual platform is connected with the entrance.

But these known contrivances harbor several disadvantages. In the contrivance first described the lower platform has a comparritively strong upward slant when connected with the entrance. The ascend is so steep, however, that the ground clearing space between the axles of some of the vehicles is insufficient. Nor is the platform during the driving-in process any longer in the drivers line of vision, greatly to the annoyance of thelatter and likely to lead to accidents.

A similar disadvantage offer the contrivances with a rigid lower platform and where the upper platform is movable and able to connect with the entrance when needed. But in this case too, the entrance to the lower parking space has a sharp decline.

The parking contrivances in the elevator manner of construction prove that the space requirement here is far greater than the usable parking space; or otherwise a considerable mechanical arrangement must be resorted to and profitable only in the case of large scale plants. For if the movable platforms can only be hoisted or lowered to the required level, if the lower platform is in the entrance position, space must be provided underneath deep enough to enable the upper platforms to lower down to the entrance position too. Thus two useable parking spaces require the three-fold space of one parking place. Thus, if in this manner three vehicles are to be parked above each other the space needed will be five-fold the size of one single parking place.

If by this manner of construction the individual platforms are to be suspended to a continuous paternoster chain a parking house will be needed for this system. It is, however, not suitable for underground garages under business or residential houses, since the space needed in the vertical direction and also the mechanical needs do not comply with the actual wants.

It is an aim of this invention to produce a device for parking vehicles as mentioned in the outset, adaptable in particular for underground garages of residential and business houses, thus needing in particular but a small mechanical equipment and for the vertical space required to be held within moderate limits. It is in particular an aim of the invention to create the arrangement in such a manner that the space requirement for the entire arrangement is but small and minimal in view of the actually useable space required for the parking. Finally the invented device is to have no platforms with steep inclines at their entrance, with their consequential disadvantages as described above.

The invention presents a device for the parking of vehicles on several platforms arranged above each other with equipments for inclining and lifting of all platforms. The device of the invention is in the first place distinguished in that at least the upper or the uppermost platform, apart from the hoisting movement, is inclinable to the extent that the drive-in end of this platform lowers towards the deeper down entrance.

While the contrivances known provide a coupled hoisting and incline operation of all platforms or only a hoisting operation as in the case of elevator-like equipments or only a hoisting and incline movement on one platform, while the other platform is rigid, the invention provides an independency between the hoisting movement and the incline movement of at least one of the upper platforms.

The invention may, for instance, be materialized in the manner that two platforms are arranged above each other and that a hoisting equipment is provided for both platforms, needing, however, only a hoisting height complying with a part of the vertical distance between the two platforms. In the lifted position the lower platform in then connected with the entrance and driving in and out is thus possible.

Now if both platforms are lowered only part lowering will be necessary. The upper platform is now inclined until the drive-inend of the platform connects with the entrance. The space available at the lower platform is now in fact less than when in the position of driving in or out. This is possible since as a rule the vehicle ends are lower than the middle of the vehicles.

It is evident that an arrangement is thus created whereby the whole of the verticla space required is less than that of the comparable usual contrivances.

The invention allows more than one platform to be inclinable, as a rule it is, however, sufficient if the upper platform performs an incline movement of the kind described. Also more than two serviceable platforms may be arranged above each other, without the characteristic of the invention being altered. The advantages of the invention will always remain, in particular also in that the platform to be driven over stays in full sight.

With the further development of the invention it is considered for the non-entry end of the inclinable platform to rise. A swing point or also a pivot is in particular to be provided near to the middle of the platform.

The inventiv effects are enhanced if, as the invention intends further, a movable ramp is arranged between the inclined end of the platform and the entrance. In the position of incline to which the drive-in end of the platform is lowered this end need then not be in direct connection with the entrance. This connection can be established by means of the movable ramp. In consequence the upper platform may still maintain a higher level for the driving-in position, with the result that the total lift may be kept smaller. This would again mean, for instance, that the depth for taking up the lower or lowest platform need only have smaller vertical measurements.

When materilizing the invention it will for instance be possible to arrange three serviceable platforms above each other, while the hoisting equipments require only a hoisting height complying with approximately the distance between two platforms. This would further mean that in case of three platforms the whole space required complies only with the'space required for four parking places, whilst the ground space is only needed but once.

The ramp may be of differing constructions. Thus the ramp can be extended telescope-like from the inclinable platform. As a variant of the invention the ramp is situated in the entrance and is slewable out of the entrance.

Convenient service conditions and/or guiding of the device in the sense of the invention are obtained if, while using a ramp connecting to the drive-in inclinable end, of an upper platform, the platform below may be in the drive-in position.

The invention proposes further, that the hoisting equipment on the inclinable platform operates, at a distance from the incline joint, on the lowering end and that stops are provided to limit the incline movement.

In this manner a very simple construction is obtained. If the device consists, for instance, out of two platforms and if these two platforms are at their lowest level, the incline of the uppermost platform will necessarily result if the hoisting equipment is brought into the lowest position. If, on the other hand, the hoisting equipment is brought into the highest position, latest when reaching the highest position will the hoisting equipment bring the upper platform into the horizontal position and thus render the lower platform serviceable.

In the case of the device with more than two platforms the same effect may be reached, whereby it is, however, recommendable to provide additional stop measures for the upper platform and if needs be also for the fixing of the driving place of the midplatform(s).

The invention provides further that in the case of vertical track-like parts, these parts are displaced compared to the platform middle,so that the regular center of gravity of the loaded platform is always on that side of the track-like parts on which also the hoisting equipment is to find its place.

Suchan arrangement has the advantage that the platform has the tendency to take up a slanting position wheneverthe hoisting equipment is inactive. Since the hoisting equipment is always inactive in the lowest position, the lowest position will always bring the desired incline position of the platform, whereas in the hoisted position the platform will as a rule take up the horizontal position.

In the approved developed form of the invention a trolley is carried within the track-like structure, to which the platforms are anchored, manifesting also the incline joint of the inclinable platform and to which are also attached the counter stops against the stops provided on the inclinable platform.

The invention can be adapted to various uses. For instance, it is also possible to connect the drive-in end of a lower platform with the entrance by rising it. Also sinkable ramps may be used, improving thus the accessibility to the lower platforms, and/or reduce the necessary entire hoisting height.

In the drawing some of the practiable examples of the invention are depicted. Shown is in:

FIG. 1 A side view of a device for two parking places,

FIG. 2 an altered constructional example of the invention with three parking places,

FIG. 3 another form of the invention with three parking places; with less need of space, however,

FIG. 4 a side-view of another device of the invention, in the hoisted position,

FIG. 5 a side-view of the device as per FIG. 4 in the lowered position, and

FIG. 6 a depiction'of a unit of the inventiion, on a larger scale.

On the constructive form as per FIG. 1 is, attached to the ground plate 1 a structure 2 which,for example, consists of two vertical track-like parts on both sides of the platforms 3 and 4. The upper ends of the vertical parts of the structure may be connected by two elements (not shown) or united with binding etc. The platforms 3 and 4 connected to each other and guided in the structure 2, so that with the cylinder-pistonarrangement a joint hoisting of the two platforms 3 and 4 is possible.

Apart from the hoisting movement, the upper platform 4 is also inclinable, as indicated by the interrupted lines 6 and 7 in the lowered position of platform 4.

The manner of operation of the device as per FIG. 1

is as follows: r

The device is preferrably mounted in a pit 8 on the bottom of which ground-plate 2 is erected. To be observed is that the depth of pit 8 is less than the space between the platforms 3 and 4. In the hoisted position as shown in the drawing the lower platform 3 is serviceable. Platform 3 is always fully level.

If the platforms 3 and 4 are lowered as indicated by the arrow 9, the lower platform will be in the position 10 as indicated by interrupted and dotted lines. The upper platform 4 takes upposition 6."Now the upper platform is slewable in the sense of arrow 11 so that position 7 is attained, making the upper platform 4 serviceable for vehicle 16, whereby the somewhat protruding end 17 rests upon the entrance 15. Following, the platform is reslewed to its former position 6. The description as per FIG. 2 differs from FIG, 1 in that under the lower platform 3 a further platform 12 is arranged which, for example, is rigidly connected to platform 3. This hoisting equipment possesses a greater hoisting space than the example as per FIG. 1 In this way parking places for three vehicles are obtained. The uppermost position of platform 4 is marked with the reference number 13. It is clear that the ratio of the entire space requirement for the available parking place in the arrangement as per FIG. 2 is equal or a trifle less propitious as in the example as per FIG. 1. This ratio may, however, be greatly improved ifthe variant as per FIG. 3 of the invention is used. This structional form provides the upper inclinable platform 4 with a run-out ramp 14, so that for connecting platform 4 with entrance 15 no special lowering of the platform 3 out of the drive-in position is-necessary. Ramp the length of which had best have the approximate length of platform 4 without the invention stipulating this may also be kept in entrance 15 and, for instance, be brought by a special hoisting equipment in the drive-in position for platform 4.

When comparing the diagrams of FIG. 2 and 3 it is clearly evident that with the variant as per FIG. 3 a considerable less depth in the pit 8 will be needed than in the case of variant as per FIG. 2 and that the entire space requirement in height for three parking places is approximately merely the four-fold of the height of one parking place.

The drawing depicts two or three parking places for vehicles above each other. The invention is, however, not limited to this number of parking places, even if in general arrangements of this nature parking place in this number should be given the preference.

In the constructional form of the invention as per FIG. 4, 5 and 6 the platform 3 is rigidly connected with a trolley, which by means of the rollers 25 move in the track-like parts of the structure 2 in vertical direction. Is is clear that on both sides of the platform a trolley 18 is provided.

Trolley 18 picks up the incline joint 19 for platform 4 and attached to platform 4 are the two stops 20 and 21, and the counter stops 26 and 27 attached to the trolley, limit the incline movement. The stop 21 with the counter stop 27 safeguards thereby the horizontal position as depicted in FIG. 4, whereas stop 20 with the counter stop 26 is meant to limit the slant position as per FIG. 5.

The stops could also be worked by ropes or such like.

FIG. 4 depicts the hoisted position. Has the uppermost position been reached, for instance, that the upper end of trolley 18 reaches stop 22 in the structure 2, the cylinder-piston-arrangement 5 will turn platform 4 in the direction of arrow 23 till stop 21 contacts the counter stop 27.

vln the inclined position as per FIG. 5 the own weight of the loaded platform in the lowest position of the trolley 18 will alter the position of platform 4 in the direction of platform 4 till the end 17 of this platform 4 is connected with entrance 15.

I claim:

1. A vehicle parking apparatus for disposition within a pit having a ground level entrance, said device comprising, in combination, a support assembly including a plurality of vehicle parking platforms disposed one above the other in spaced-apart stacked relationship, means for mounting said platforms within said assembly such that at least the uppermost platform is selectively tiltable about a horizontal axis and such that the remaining platforms are rigidly maintained in a substantially level position, said assembly being disposed within a pit having a depth which is less than the assembly height, lifting means for selectively elevating and lowering said platforms as a unit such that in the uppermost position of said unit, the lowermost platform thereof is substantially level with ground level entrance of the pit and such that in the lowermost position of said unit, said uppermost platform thereof is elevated above the ground level entrance of the pit, and means coupled to said uppermost platform to effect tilting thereof so that one end thereof is downwardly inclined and defines an entrance thereto when said unit is in said lowermost position.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a moveable ramp coupled to said one end of said uppermost platform to selectively increase the platform length when said uppermost platform is in its inclined position.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said ramp is telescopically extendable from said uppermost platform.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of vertically disposed support tracks in which said platform unit is slideable and wherein said lifting means comprises a cylinderpiston mechanism coupled between the floor of the pit and said platform unit and vertically extending parallel to said support tracks.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said mounting means further includes a joint means disposed adjacent said support track and said uppermost platform such that said uppermost platform is both tiltable and slewable.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said cylinder-piston mechanism is coupled between the floor of the pit and said one end of said uppermost platform at a location spaced from said joint means, and wherein said joint means incorporates stops for delimiting the slewing movement of said uppermost platform.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said uppermost platform is tiltably'mounted at a location along its length which is displaced from the center of gravity of said platform in a direction away from said one thereof.

e s nn s 

1. A vehicle parking apparatus for disposition within a pit having a ground level entrance, said device comprising, in combination, a support assembly including a plurality of vehicle parking platforms disposed one above the other in spaced-apart stacked relationship, means for mounting said platforms within said assembly such that at least the uppermost platform is selectively tiltable about a horizontal axis and such that the remaining platforms are rigidly maintained in a substantially level position, said assembly being disposed within a pit having a depth which is less than the assembly height, lifting means for selectively elevating and lowering said platforms as a unit such that in the uppermost position of said unit, the lowermost platform thereof is substantially level with ground level entrance of the pit and such that in the lowermost position of said unit, said uppermost platform thereof is elevated above the ground level entrance of the pit, and means coupled to said uppermost platform to effect tilting thereof so that one end thereof is downwardly inclined and defines an entrance thereto when said unit is in said lowermost position.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a moveable ramp coupled to said one end of said uppermost platform to selectively increase the platform length when said uppermost platform is in its inclined position.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said ramp is telescopically extendable from said uppermost platform.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a pair of vertically disposed support tracks in which said platform unit is slideable and wherein said lifting means comprises a cylinder-piston mechanism coupled between the floor of the pit and said platform unit and vertically extending parallel to said support tracks.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said mounting means further includes a joint means disposed adjacent said support track and said uppermost platform such that said uppermost platform is both tiltable and slewable.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said cylinder-piston mechanism is coupled between the floor of the pit and said one end of said uppermost platform at a location spaced from said joint means, and wherein said joint means incorporates stops for delimiting the slewing movement of said uppermost platform.
 7. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said uppermost platform is tiltably mounted at a location along its length which is displaced from the center of gravity of said platform in a direction away from said one thereof. 